EXPERT ADVICE

The 6 Coolest Concepts from the Detroit Auto Show

Kia GT4 Stinger

2 of 6

The Kia concept that had everyone talking . . . wait, what? Yes, the Korean manufacturer best known for its econoboxes caused quite a stir in Detroit with its GT4 Stinger.

The Stinger has all the ingredients of a great sports car: a 315 hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, six-speed manual transmission, and rear-wheel drive. The spec rundown is so impressive, it's drawing comparisons to the identical twins that had so many car journalists panting last year: the Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S.

Since those cars are among the best budget performers in recent memory and the Stinger is just a concept, we shouldn't get too excited. But Kia deserves bonus points for such radical styling – not that we expect to see vertical headlights or 20-inch aluminum wheels on their cars any time soon.